Troy Deeney doubts £32m Mikel Arteta signing is ‘up to the level of Arsenal’

Troy Deeney doubts Gunners midfielder Mikel Merino is ‘up to the level of Arsenal’ despite describing his performance against Brentford as ‘quality’.

Merino, who completed a £32m move from Real Sociedad last summer, scored in Arsenal’s 3-1 comeback win over Brentford on New Year’s Day.

Bryan Mbeumo put the hosts ahead following a quick counter-attack but Gabriel Jesus equalised with his sixth goal in four games.

Merino then scored shortly after half-time before Gabriel Martinelli all-but settled the affair with Arsenal’s third.

Deeney named Merino in his BBC Sport Premier League Team of the Week, saying the Spaniard must be an ‘excellent’ team-mate given his versatility in midfield.

But the ex-Premier League striker insists he is still ‘not sure’ if Merino is going to be ‘up to the level’ to play for Arsenal long-term.

‘He was quality today,’ Deeney said of Merino, who has featured in 12 of Arsenal’s 19 Premier League games so far this season.

‘I’m not sure if he’s going to be up to the level of Arsenal but I’m going to give him until next year with a pre-season.

‘He’s neat, tidy, very fluid in the way he plays. He can go as a six, he can go as an eight, he just keeps the ball ticking over really well.

‘I bet as a team-mate he’s excellent to have in your team.’

Arsenal’s comeback win saw the Gunners move back above high-flying Nottingham Forest and close the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool to six points.

‘We won in a difficult stadium, against a good opponent,’ said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

‘The record they have here is incredible and when you go 1-0 down it makes it even harder. We have to navigate through some difficult moments.

‘We started really fast and aggressive and again adapting. We had some injuries and sickness and we had to play some different players.’

Asked about Arsenal’s hopes of catching Liverpool, Arteta added: ‘We can only do what is on our hands. The rest is nothing to do with us.’

Arsenal legend Martin Keown, meanwhile, said his former club were ‘still alive and kicking’ in the title race after the Brentford win.

‘They picked up the intensity, that is a strong signal from the team,’ the ex-England defender said. ‘They are alive and kicking, still alive in this title race.

‘In the second half, they showed their class. It was really important for them to win tonight and get the job done.’

Arsenal face Brighton on Saturday while Brentford, now without a win in five matches, return to action against bottom-placed Southampton.

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